Gerle Creek Reservoir

Drove up to Gerle Creek Reservoir for a snow shoe. The main road is snowed over, but SMUD plows a gated side road to the dam so we walked down that. I wasn't quite sure where I was so I left the snow shoes by the side of the road and walked to the top of the ridge to look around. The reservoir was right there, about 700 feet down a steep slope. I heard a car door and saw a security guard truck (uh oh) and noticed he was picking up my snow shoes. I yelled out and we chatted for a bit.

He thought the gear might have been left behind by some campers and I chose to believe the story. It's not private property (well, it's SMUD property) but there is public access. I was surprised that he carried a gun and everything...I only thought police could do that.

As it turns out, you can't walk around Gerle Creek Reservoir...the dam is closed off. I was able to scramble around the side of the pump house to get to the shore and here the snow was a good three feet deep. Good thing I carried the snow shoes down the hill with me!

It was a bit of a chore traversing the side of the reservoir. It was steep and obviously I didn't want to trip or fall into a snow pit of some kind. We worked our way along the reservoir until we came to a stream inflow. I headed away from the water and navigated eastward along what looked like an old, old, old logging road (more a suggestion of a road than an actual one) to a small saddle. It was either that or retrace my steps because the hill to my immediate right was way too steep for me!

Just at what looked like the top of the saddle, there was another road with some old snow shoe tracks buried under 6 inches of snow. We headed gradually uphill on this track and eventually came to the main road where I'd left my car.

The snow was slushy and not tamped down so it was a bit of a slog cutting the trail. The picture shows the snow depth. It's funny though, because on the sunny slopes, it's bare dirt.

Nice trip!

Bassi Falls in Snow

Andy (he's a cute brother, ignore the stain on his leg), Commando and I snowshoed up to Bassi Falls. The weather was cloudy with the sun occasionally sending some faint rays through the clouds. A lot of the snow has melted so we had the shoes on and off depending on the snow. At the granite field by the falls, the snow had mostly melted.

Commando ran off and refused to come back until we had called several times. His tongue was black and dirty. Whatever he was hunting must have gone to ground and he must have spent some time trying to dig it up. He was pretty tired on the hike back (so was I!) and slept most of the rest of the day and the afternoon.

We saw no one on the trip which was quite nice.

Adventure on Peavine Ridge

Once again I really wasn't in the mood to hike, but went anyway. We drove up 50 to Ice House road. Instead of continuing on, we headed off on a paved road that heads west (ish). On the map, it's called Peavine Ridge road which turns off Ice House at the top of what I assume is Peavine Ridge.

The road was rough in places, but by no means the worst we've traveled. We drove through a few snow drifts but the ground was mostly clear. Nearing the top, we saw a pickup in a snow drift and they were stuck. I wouldn't even cross the last snow drift towards them because the snow was high and the road was muddy and it looked deep.

Instead, we drove Justin down to his house lower down and then back up with some shovels so they could dig themselves out of the snow. They were young and in good shape and they weren't that far into the drift.

Commando and I then hiked up the road and reached the crest not too far along. The other side of the hill was the shady side, and I had to trek through drifts, or go along into the forest to avoid the snow. I squeezed through a manzanita bush at one spot. I hadn't brought my snow shoes with me although they were in the car and when we reached a solid mass of snow, we turned back. At the crest of the ridge, we turned off onto a side road and wandered along it for a while. Commando alarmed a rodent colony in a pile of brush. I saw fresh deer tracks. We crossed through the wood to the lower road and ended up just above where the kids truck had been stuck.

Not a very interesting hike, but reasonably enough.

Beautiful snow shoe

Drove up 50 to Meyers and then went south on 89. Somewhere before Luther Pass summit there was a pull out at a meadow. It was a perfect outing. The snow was hard packed, with about 3-6 inches of very fluffy powder on top. So the surface was fast and gentle on the feet at the same time. We headed generally uphill following someone else's very fresh tracks. We stopped a little bit before the summit because it was late in the day, it was getting steep, the trail was over a wet meadow so it was possible to slip into a sudden hole over water, and I hadn't given anyone any notice of where I was. It was a beautiful, beautiful hike. The snow was relatively unscathed. A ground level wind sent snow hissing over the surface. The sun poked out and just when it was getting a little hot a cloud would cover it, then, just when it was getting a little cold, the sun would burn off the cloud. I'll have to try this trail again next weekend and get over the summit next time to see what's on the other side.

Scary pic

Commando was bitten this winter on one of our walks by some nameless black dog. It cost a pretty penny at the vet, and he has recovered just fine.

Cute pics

My backyard neighbors love Commando and he loves them. They call to him and give him treats and toys, and he has even been known to go to the back fence and bark to call them! This stuffed warthog is an example of a recent toy. I didn't see it until the squeaker was gone. How cute is that?

Saturday Leisure

Drove up 80 to Foresthill and then to Mosquito Ridge road to where it ends at the Forebay turnoff. Snowshoed over firm packed snow with just about 3 inches of fresh, fluffy new snow. On the way back stopped at the Middle Fork of the North Fork of the American River and walked across the bridge and then down to the river. There was a fancy zip line with heavy duty cable and a fun looking cart but it was firmly locked down. Rats.

Drove up Foresthill road to the China Wall staging area where the road was blocked. There was a lot more snow here, both on the road and in the forest. Snowshoed down some OHV lane for a bit and then headed back.

The weather was changeable as the wind. Snow, rain and hail mixed with sun and fog. Fat, puffy clouds backlit by the sun added interest to the sky on the drive home.

Commando had a great time as usual running around in the snow, scaring rabbits and jumping to eat snow balls. At the first stop it was a rabbit meet up with fresh tracks in the snow every five feet or so. Spring?

Almost Nevada

Drove up to Indian Creek reservoir near Markleeville to hike and check out the campground for our September camping trip. It's an interesting area but not a very nice campground so I think we'll pass. Also, they don't take reservations which is fine unless you're trying to organize a group.

We had a good enough hike. There are some beautiful views of some craggy peaks near Yosemite and the hills across the Reno Valley into Nevada. I needed my snowshoes for the first part of the trip though and didn't wear them. We forded a little stream and then hiked back along a little airstrip.

Snow Trip for the Kids

Went with Donna's family and a passel of kids to Icehouse Lake. We commandeered the boat ramp and colonized the area to the left of the ramp up to the trees. There is a nice slope there, but not too scary for the kids.

A lot of snow had melted from the last trip, and the pristine surface was marked with multiple boot, ski, snow shoe, dog and ski machine tracks.

Donna, Janine and I went to the top of the hill with most of the kids. Donna and Janine took some of the kids down on saucers while I hung out throwing snow balls and getting snow balls thrown at me.

The kids soon discovered Commando's love of catching snow balls so he spent most of the day leaping into the air.

The weather and views of the Crystal Range were spectacular. The sun was hot and the breeze didn't stir until after lunch.

Kayla learned to stand on a plastic toboggan and surf down the hill. Little Jackson (3) trudged up and down the hill several times and even rode a saucer all by himself. Everyone else had a great time whether or not it was their first visit to snow or their second or their "so many they can't count any more-th" visit.

Good Weather?

Drove again to Jenkinson Lake in Pollock Pines. It was sunny in the valley, raining by Placerville, and snowing so heavily in Pollock Pines that chain controls were on a mile east on 50. The roads were relatively slushy and looked good, but who am I to judge?

Got off the exit and followed the snow plow in a long chain of cars toward the lake. I was hoping to park at the little store, but they have figured out this plan and peppered their lot with "No Lake Parking" signs.

We parked in the slush at the entrance, which was relatively free of snow. For some stupid reason, I wore my heavy full cotton sweater. I also had to stop and take my right boot off. I'd worn the shoe insert and a pair of unfamiliar socks that I should through away. My foot was cramping badly. With the insert gone, it was fine.

The lake was pretty and there were quite a few people snowshoeing. That's one of the reasons I avoid this area, it's too crowded with people. The sun tried to peep through the clouds, then it darkened up again and started with fat, puffy and heavy flakes. I turned back. The day was nice enough, but I really didn't want to get my car stuck.

By the time I was committed to heading back, the snow stopped. I could hear the cars swishing along speedily on Sly Park road so apparently the snow plows had gained pavement. My sweater was heavier with water and if I'd had to stop it would have been cold.

Made it to the car and had no problem driving home.

Lovely Hike in Freezing Rain

I was hoping to get a quick snow shoe hike in before the storm, which was scheduled to arrive late Saturday. Around noonish, when I got to Pollock Pines, it was starting to snow quite heavily. I cut back down to Placerville and then took 49 north to Growlersburg (Georgetown). Commando and I played in the snow at a school baseball field, but it was still snowing quite heavily and I did not want to get stuck.

On the way north on 49 to Auburn, we stopped at the Auburn State Rec Area near Cool and walked around some at the Olmstead Loop Trail. It was freezing rain, the trail was muddy, and there were a few swollen creek crossings that sent freezing water over my boot tops to dampen my socks.

Still, it was pleasant, and I was reasonably warm. Commando certainly enjoyed running around the open pasture land terrorizing hidden rodents so it was worth it.

Commando 2, Squirrels 0

I was pottering around the house wondering if it was going to stop raining long enough to get up to the mountains for some snowshoeing. Suddenly, I noticed Herkeimer trotting around with a limp and very dead squirrel in his mouth.

I swept the squirrel into a grocery bag and dumped him in the trash. It's not like I touched him or anything, but the squirrel looked dry, well, aside from the dog drool. Commando was also dry.

The reason I'm so interested in the dryness of the critters? It's been raining for hours and hours and hours. That means he's stashed the squirrel somewhere in the house until both dried off.

Eeew. I tried to indicate to him that my desire for dead squirrels was less than zero, but he just seemed to think I was being a spoil sport and maybe if I just tried tossing the squirrel up the air so he could catch it I might see how fun a dead squirrel could be.

This is the second squirrel. Should I be looking for some recipes?

Commando and the Arachnid

Early this morning I was trying to decide whether or not to get up and Commando started a low, vicious growling. He kept it up for a while and then went outside. He came back in almost immediately.

He was soon growling again, and looking at the glass door to the outside. It was a really scary growl and he was even shaking a little. I figured it was time to get up and see what the problem was.

There was a huge, ugly, black spider on the ceiling near my computer chair. Commando was really growling at it.

One good thing about being over 20 is that I couldn't really see the spider. It was just a dark spot on the wall. It wasn't moving so it didn't trigger my arachnophobia. I moved the chair and got the broom and dispatched the spider.

So, Commando has arachnophobia too!

Blizzard Defiance

I was not going to let the great storm of January 2008 keep me housebound all weekend, especially with reports of up to 10 feet of expected snow falling in the Sierras. Saturday I was grounded. Sunday there was a little bit of sun in late morning and Commando and I hastily drove up to Foresthill.

It was beautiful but overcast. Everything...trees, powerlines, mailboxes...was covered with fresh, powdery snow.

We stopped at Chicken Hawk road a little bit past the Michigan Bar road. It had started snowing and my car isn't equipped for that. Also, there really isn't a place to pull off and the signs (and common sense) warn you not to park at the road side lest one impede the snow plows. Someone had driven down CH road and left nice deep ruts to follow. These were filled in and softened with a good 6 inches of powder. I didn't even bother putting on the snow shoes as the walking was so easy.

We didn't stay out long. I really didn't want to get stranded and snowed in. Commando and I played several games of "toss the snow" where I flick loose snow at him and he leaps up to catch it. This is one of his favorite snow games. He also loves catching mini-snowballs.

Can't wait for next weekend!

5K and Loch Leven Lakes

On Thanksgiving I did the Run to Feed the Hungry with Donna, Teana, her roommate, and Kayla. We had fun although I put a big blister on my heel. I decided to wear a different shoe insert and it wasn't very good. I took it out at the first mile, but apparently the damage was already done.

On Friday, Andy and I drove up the the Yuba Gap exit off 80 and hiked the Salmon Lakes trail to the Loch Leven lakes. I was still pretty sore from yesterday. We made it easily to Middle LLL and were planning to have lunch. Oops, we left the sandwiches in the car.

It was a lovely sunny day with good views all around. There was a stiff, cold wind that blew steadily all day so I was glad to have my coat and hat.

As usual, Commando had a great time and is snoozing now on the rug.

Martis and Andresite Peak

To celebrate the extra hour woke up early and drove to the new Martis Valley area off 267. A nature group just purchased some property (Waddle Ranch) and it's now public land and safe from development. This looks like a great place to snow shoe (once it snows) but a little boring for hiking.

Drove a bit up 267 and took an unnamed road that turned out to be the Martis Peak road. At a gate, maybe a half mile from the summit, I donned boots and Commando and I headed up. The road is paved and there was only one noisy dirt bike. Several mountain bikers passed. There is a fire lookout and the view is spectacular!

You can see all of the Lake Tahoe basin and all of the Truckee basin surrounded by all of the big peaks. Someone has carved a map of the peaks above the windows and on a clear day you can see Mt. Lassen. Beautiful.

We took a short jaunt (100 feet?) up to the actual summit where the fire lookout used to be. Other than congratulating ourselves for summiting, the view was just not as good.

This hadn't been much of a hike so we drove back to 80 and then took the Castle Peak exit (Boreal Ski area is also here). We drove up a very, very bad road and didn't quite make it to the top. Commando and I once again set forth and hiked up to the saddle, then took the Hole-In-The-Wall trail back down past Andresite Peak. I was certainly tired and didn't try for the scramble to the top but enjoyed the view of Castle Peak.

This is really a mountain bike trail (although all are welcome to use it) and it had short cement sections to protect the terrain. I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, it's nice to protect the terrain. On the other hand, the short cement sections seem to take some of the wildness out of the experience.

Or maybe I was just jealous. As I was coming down from the top, 2 mountain bikers came up the trail. They were moving relatively fast and one guy was telling a boring story about an eye exam as they pedaled past. So, legs of steel and lungs of steel.

Great, great day. Commando met many dogs and sniffed them all. He played chase with only two dogs.

Loch Leven Lakes

We drove up 80 and exited at Yuba Pass. We took a right and then a left along Lake Valley Reservoir. The road isn't paved but it's not a bad road. Continue up and then there's a left to take at a sign to Huysink Lake. Just past the tiny lake is the marked trailhead to Salmon Lake.

I really don't know why this isn't the popular trail to the Loch Leven lakes. The road is relatively easy to drive...I took my Jetta up here on an earlier trip. The trail is only 2 miles to Lower LL, and, it's relatively level with just some mild, short ups and downs.

We made short work of this section of trail and stopped on some rocks at Lower LL for a snack. I was tempted to visit the other lakes, but I'd made such a late start that I didn't want to risk it. Although the remaining 3 miles was downhill, I hadn't gone that way before and if I missed the trail I might end of spending time getting back on it.

The main trail, the popular, heavily used trail was not very nice. It's well marked until the train tracks, but it's very rocky so you have to watch your step. After the train tracks the trail isn't particularly well marked. Also, I personally would have followed the creek down to the road. There are certainly many granite slabs to scramble over, but not many spectacular views because of the trees. The Salmon Lakes section has a lot of great views.

I don't mean to say this is a bad hike...I would just recommend coming in from the other direction!

SPCA-Bad Day-Good Day

SPCA Saturday took Ruby, a brindle pit mix to a Lutheran church fair. She is a lovely dog and really enjoyed the day. She accepted belly rubs and sniffed everything and enjoyed treats from the kids. If she hasn't been adopted by the weekend I think I'll showcase her for an hour or two at the shelter on Saturday.

Bad Day I was in a bad mood of Sunday and couldn't really get around to anything. I forced myself to head for the mountains with the hound. I was bored with highway 80 and 50 so I decided to see if I could make it to 4. I ended up driving around somewhat aimlessly, taking first one road and then another. I ended up on 88 (also bored) and took a turn to Salt Springs reservoir. It's 12 miles from 88 along a good dirt road. It finally ends up along the Mokelumne River. The reservoir itself isn't much to see although it looked like the trail along the northern edge (Blue Hole) might be fun on another day when I have time to do 8 miles. Commando did some rodent chasing but didn't get too much exercise. We also stopped along the river and he did a little more chasing and sniffing there.

Good Day On Sunday I was feeling a little more cheerful so we drove up 88 to see if the aspens in Hope Valley were in full fall color. They were nice, but not quite ready for prime time yet.

At the intersection with 89 we drove up Burnside Lake road to...wait for it...Burnside Lake. This is a beautiful, beautiful lake at about 8100 feet elevation. Commando and I hiked around a beautiful meadow at the upper end of the lake and then hiked around the lake. It was a pleasure to stroll along without having to climb or drop.

We had passed some people on horseback on the way up and I spied them across the lake on my way around. One of the horses decided to kick up a little and there was a bit of a rodeo catching it and getting back on and headed out. They were long gone by the time I got back to the dirt road, but I could see the extra scuffed up marks as the pinto was apparently still kicking and prancing.

I took off my boots and waded into the water while Commando played in the water and thought about chasing some mergansers. There was a chewed up old tennis ball in the water and I tossed that for him as well. The view was beautiful, sunny, cool breeze but hot in the sun (but not too hot). I could have stayed longer.

On way back headed over Luther Pass to South Lake Tahoe and drove through the Angora fire damaged area. It wasn't as bad a fire as it seemed, the earth wasn't particularly scorched and I figure if there are still pine needles, it wasn't that hot. Quite a few homes were destroyed though and there was a lot of construction. I might feel badly if my home didn't burn because everyone else will have a beautiful new home and mine will still be that tiny little 2/1 cabin built in the 40's.

Drove up the Angora Lakes road...wow. It passes along a NARROW ridge overlooking Fallen Leaf lake and the Angora fire area. It was a narrow ledge for hiking let along driving along it with oncoming traffic.

It's about a 1/2 mile to Lower Angora and that's as far as I went. I will have to go back and try for Upper Angora (about another 1/2 mile) but as soon as the snow gets too deep, no more hiking here.

Lake Margaret Success

On Saturday the hound and I drove up through Placerville. There was a big traffic jam getting through the lights and I snapped a pic of a No Pedestrians sign. Obviously it's dangerous!

We turned onto the Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88 and pulled off just past Kirkwood at the Lake Margaret trail head parking lot.

The parking lot was full although some people were sitting on some rocks eating lunch. My recommendation, move to another location if you're not going to be staying for a long time. I was resigned to parking along 88 when I noticed some people getting into a Jeep. I drove back up. They appeared to be futzing around so I went up and politely asked if they were leaving. They seemed to be eating lunch and decided to drive off leaving the parking space open. I felt a little guilty as I kind of forced them to leave, but there are prettier spaces overlooking Caples Lake just a bit ahead.

Commando and I hit the trail around 1 pm, a little later than I'd planned, but still earlier than last weekend. I was worried that with the parking lot being full the trail would be busy. Not to worry, I encountered almost no one. There was one big, big group at the mini-summit after the log over Caples Creek and then only 4 people at the lake. If we'd gotten an earlier start, we would have seen many more people.

The trail is pretty easy and there are a few pine forest duff level spots as well as some soft meadow spots as well. The craggy granite bits are not too difficult, although they are more challenging than on some hikes.

Toward the end, I was wondering why the trail didn't just go along the bottom of a dry creek when suddenly the trail cut across the creek and headed toward a forbidding cliff. I assumed the trail would cut along the base of the cliff but I was wrong. Instead, the trail headed right to the cliff and then, quelle horror, headed right up a relatively steep granite slab. This is looking up at the climb. There is a round boulder almost in the top center just at what looks like the base of the pine tree. After scaling this steep section, I would have to scramble over this really, really big and fat Mastiff sized rock wedged in between two granite thighs.

I made it up and over the boulder just fine. This is the view looking down. It's a little scarier in this direction isn't it? Commando of course scampered up and down repeatedly and even poised at an even higher granite rock to stare down at me and wonder what was taking me so long. I was apprehensive after this climb, and looking at the surrounding cliffs because I really didn't want to add a hard climb to the end of the hike. It was getting somewhat late and I'm not the fastest hiker in the world. I certainly didn't want to get here and then decide I couldn't make it the rest of the way.

Not to worry, just over Mastiff rock and about 50 level steps is a cut in the cliff and through the cut is the lake. I strolled along and thought I might have the lake to myself when I noticed some people fishing. I sat and ate the remainder of my snack and drank some Vitamin water and then headed back.

The hike back was not quite as fun. The Advil was beginning to wear off and my foot started bothering me. I just took it slow and stopped to rest and made it fine back to the car.

Maybe next weekend if the weather holds I'll try for Lake Aloha again near Echo Summit.

Bad Haiku

Commando the dog

Snoring in his soft basket

Dreams not of his name.

Summer trees leaves rustle

Squirrel stops to flick his tail

Go away! My nuts!

Gaudy pink and flame

Flares the tired sun out west

More west sun awakes.

Granite beats the feet

Climbing beats lungs with no air

Why is hiking fun?